Find and add a contact

In Lync, contacts are the online identities of the people you interact with most often. They’re a key part of the Lync experience. One of the first things you’ll want to do as you begin using Lync is to start building a list of contacts.

In the search field on the Lync main window, type the name, email address, or phone number of the person you want to add.

When the Contacts list appears, point at the picture (or picture display area) of the person, and click More Options.

Point to Add to Contact List and select a group for your new contact to belong to.

Send an instant message (IM)

Locate the person you want to send an IM to, either through search or your Contacts list. Then do any one of the following:

Double-click anywhere on their contact listing.

Right-click their listing and click Send an IM.

Pause on their picture in the Contacts list, and click the IM button on the Quick Lync menu.

Type your message in the text field at bottom of the window.

(Optional) To add special content or customize the appearance of your message, you can:

Send a file or a picture by doing one of the following:

Drag-and-drop the file or picture from your computer into the message window or text input area.

Copy and paste the file or picture from any Office program into the message window or text input area.

Press PrtScn on your keyboard to capture an image directly from your screen, then paste it into the message window or text input area.

Note: Your sent message will show a small representation of the added file or picture. To open the file or see the picture at full size, the recipient clicks Save or Copy and transfer the file to their machine.

Copy and paste links from other Microsoft Office products directly into the IM area. (Be sure to use the full URL of the location you’re linking to.)

Click the font icon
to change the font style, size, emphasis, or color of your text.

Click the emoticon icon
to see and choose from a selection of emoticons to add to your IM.

Check your audio device

Before using Lync to make a call or join a conference, set up your audio device and check the quality. You can use your computer’s mic and speakers, or plug in a headset.

Click Select Your Primary Device in the lower-left corner of Lync.

Click Audio Device Settings.

Click the menu under Select the device you want to use for audio calls.

If you have more than one audio device, pick the one you prefer.

Under Customize your device, drag the slider to adjust the speakers and microphone.

Click the green arrow next to the speaker to hear a sample tone.

Adjust and test your microphone. The blue indicator helps you choose the appropriate level. If you have a handset, or desk phone, pick up the receiver and speak into it. If you have a headset, speak into the microphone.